The pros and cons of family adoption

On Behalf of | Nov 25, 2020 | adoption

Welcoming a child into your family is a big responsibility and emotional experience. A kinship adoption occurs when a child’s parents are unable or unwilling to take care of him or her, and a relative or close friend takes over full-time care of the child. 

You might wonder whether the adoption is in the best interest of the child. Kinship care is typically the most desired option for adoptions if children cannot stay with their parents. 

Benefits of kinship adoption 

If the parents already know and trust you as a family member or close friend, this takes away a lot of stress. If the mother has some sort of relationship with you, she can still remain close to her children as they grow up. 

For the children, this offers a lot of stability as they can stay within your family’s traditions and cultural identity and can maintain their sense of belonging. The higher level of permanency leads to better mental health and behavioral outcomes. Another important benefit is that siblings are more likely to live together or stay connected. 

Disadvantages of kinship adoption 

The downsides of this type of adoption include feelings of guilt and judgment. Since you might remain close to the birth parents, the mother might change her mind a few years later and decide she wants custody back. Additionally, if your parenting style is different from how she raised the children, you might face some conflict. If the child also picks up on these emotions, they can have a negative impact. 

The complicated adoption process might cause stress, but it could certainly pay off if you want to add a loved one to your home. 

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